Friday, December 18, 2009

Young Image Makers Short Film Competition 2010

Cayman National Cultural Foundation in association with the Cayman Islands Film Commission present theYoung Image Makers Short Film Competition 2010!  Learn the basics of film-making in a CNCF workshop, see your ideas on the big screen and earn the chance to win a scholarship to a New York Film Academy Camp.

Entry guidelines:
Submit a 2-5 min video to be selected for the workshop and be a finalist in the competition

  • Any type of video recording device can be used
  • Applicants must be 10 to 15 years old
  • Places Limited.
  • Deadline to apply: January 20, 2010
For an application form and additional information visit the CNCF website at artscayman.org and click on Hot Topics or call Rita at 949.5477 - Email: cayfest@candw.ky

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Q & A Session with Jamie Stanton, film maker

Come out this Saturday to talk to film maker, Jamie Stanton, who is currently in Grand Cayman working on his short film "Four Brothers". The 10 minute short film is a mini adventure about three young Caymanian boys who build a raft to Sand Kay Island. All filming took place in South Sound over two weekends, 12-13th September and 19-20th September. When finished, the film will be submitted to a variety of film festivals.

As he is still here we want to make good use of his expertise and allow him to share some of his experiences before he leaveswith you in a free Q & A Session. We'll ask to him to talk a bit about the short film process and his experience getting the distribution out via film festivals like Cannes.

When: Saturday, Sept 26th (this week-end)
Where: CIIB Boardroom
Time: 10-11:30a.m.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Careers in Motion Pictures - Part Two

Three workshops: The Production Assistant / Production Manager / Location Manager

This new program is made up of three separate workshops: The Production Assistant Workshop / The Production Manager Workshop / The Location Manager Workshop. Each deal with a specific career track in film production. The sequence may be taken in its entirety, or you may enroll in those segments that interest you.

Enrollment is limited to 15 in each segment
Dates: October 22nd through 26th. Welcome get-together on Thursday evening, Oct, 21st at 7 PM
Location: To be announced.
Combined tuition for all three workshops: $795. Workshops prices separately below. Some financial aid may be available.



The Production Assistant Workshop
This two-day workshop will prepare you to work as a film professional on TV commercial and feature film set assisting various department heads.

Dates: October 22nd & 23rd
Length: Two days, begins Thursday evening the 21st.
Tuition: $350

Who Should Attend
Anyone who wants to work on a film set as an assistant. This is also a good introduction to the production process for anyone wishing to work on film productions in other capacities. This is were most film professionals get started.

Course Description
This is where most film professionals begin -- as Production Assistants. During this intensive two-day course we explore the necessary procedures, attitudes, techniques, paperwork and responsibilities of the The Production Assistant. You will learn what’s required and how to prepare yourself for this entry level career position. PAs assist various Department Heads in many ways. They work for the The Producer, the Director, the Prop Master, Head of Wardrobe, the Transportation department, the legal and accounting departments, etc. This intensive, full-time, 12-hour a day course provides an introduction to the paper work, job requirements, and set procedures for working on TV commercials and feature films. By the end of the two days, you’ll feel comfortable being on a real feature film set, as you make a real contribution to the production. This course combines classroom work, lectures, screenings, discussions, with field work and a practical session on set to help you gain an intuitive understanding of film production on a feature film and TV commercial sets.

We cover the following elements:
  • Set Procedures, protocol and Etiquette
  • Schedules and Call Sheets
  • How to read and visualize a script
  • Your Attitude
  • Job requirements
  • walkie-talkie procedures
  • Interview technique
  • Landing the job

Students should bring:
A transparent ruler, notebook, pencils, a black fine point pen, A highlighter pen and if they have one, a audio tape recorded and a digital camera.



The Location Production Manager Workshop
Budgeting & Scheduling

Enrollment is limited to 15
Dates: October 24th and 25th
Length: two days - Saturday and Sunday.
Tuition: $350

Who Should Attend
This two-day course is for financial, legal and insurance professionals who wants to assist film Producers prepare projects budget, find cost saving options, deal with logistics and legal issues in the preparation of a film to be shoot on the Cayman Islands. A knowledge of accounting, computer software, local regulations and potential production costs are helpful. This is also a good introduction to the pre-production process for anyone wishing to eventually be a producer or work as a Unit Production Manager as a full-time career.

Course Description
Producers considering the Caymans as a location need someone on-Island to research costs, develop a budget, and find cost savings options on the Islands, to include hotels, apartments, meals, transportation, supplies, offices, staffing, phone and Internet services, as well as how to deal with government bureaucracy, and other location costs. This job falls to the Location Production Manager. During this 2 day intensive course you will learn how to read a script, time it, break it down into locations, and begin to identify those elements that will contribute the overall production cost of production. You will learn how to deal with the pre-production paper-work, how to prepare a schedule, and how to find the best possible deals, saving your Producer money. The class includes hands-on exercises as you breakdown part of a feature film script, create a production board, schedule, day-out-of-days and draft a preliminary budget.

We cover the following elements:
  • How to read, visualize and interpret a script
  • Production Office set-up & operation
  • Motion Picture Accounting practices
  • Negotiating Deals
    • Basic Industry Realities
    • Unions & Guilds
    • Rent
    • Insurance
  • Cayman Island Regulations
  • The Cayman Islands Film Commission
  • Script Breakdown
  • Scheduling and the Strip Board
  • Call Sheets & Production Reports

Students should bring:
A transparent ruler, notebook, pencils, a black fine point pen, A highlighter pen and if they have one, a audio tape recorded and a digital camera.



The Location Scout & Manager Workshop

Enrollment is limited to 15.
Date: October 26th
Length: one day - Monday
Tuition: $195

Who Should Attend
This one-day course is for real estate agents, property managers, contractors and others who want to work as a Location Scout and/or Managers on film coming to the Islands. A knowledge of local regulations, rental costs, and digital photography are helpful.

What to bring: A digital camera of any kind. A notebook, laptop.

Course Description
Producers considering the Cayman Islands as a location need people who know the Island and its real estate market and are people who know how things are done here. This one-day course covers the role of the Location Scout and the Location Manager, including the paper-work, photography, and what’s required to be helpful to a Producer, and indispensable. The morning is spent going over the two roles, with the afternoon spend visiting various locations, discussing the pros and cons of each. Photography plays an important part of the Scouts job, as does knowledge of the environment, noise, parking, access to electricity and where the sun raises and sets. The role of the Location Manager involves working with the Owners and the Production company to ensure that each property is returned in an “as was” state at the end of each production.

There will be a notebook with samples of all the paper work, along with a script to provide a real world experience. Several hand-outs containing information will be helpful long after this class has ended.


The Faculty

Eric Mofford is a writer, director and producer who has been involved in more than 50 film, television and on-line productions as well as numerous music videos, including Aerosmith, Sheryl Crow, and Alan Jackson. He has worked as an Assistant Director, Production Manager, Location Scout and Location Manager, even a PA on over 30 feature films and television programs including the Emmy Award winning 24, CLOCKWATCHERS, KALIFORNIA and DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST. He has just completed producing HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM, a feature length Documentary on energy alternatives and the new wildcatters from the Oilman's perspective. Other recent producing credits include the live action movie portions for the EA video game release, NEED FOR SPEED: UNDERCOVER, THE SACRIFICE directed by Diane Namm and starring Chris Mulkey, TALES FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ELVIS, written, co-directed and starring Mercy Malick and the soon to be released feature, THE MERCY MAN, starring JC Hernandez and Andre Royo. Previous producing credits include BLACK. WHITE. for FX television, EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME EDITION for ABC and the IFC critically acclaimed comedy series, MINOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JACKIE WOODMAN. In 2001, he co-produced the 13-part documentary series, SENIOR YEAR, for PBS. Eric has taught Production Management workshops for many years at The Workshops in Maine as well as at various schools in the LA area. Eric has a production blog for Unconventional Media, his production company, at UnconventionMedia.Wordpress.com

Registration: The CIFC is handling registration. Call or email Angela Mowbray - 945-0943 or angela.mowbray@gov.ky. to reserve a seat in each workshop. Payment is due upon registration.

Minimum Enrollment: each of these workshops require a minimum of 8 paying participants in order to be held. Maximum enrollment is 15 in each.

Discounts: a 10% discount is available for employees from thew same company or family attending. The combined price of $795 already includes a 10% discount over the individual course tuitions. Take the first two workshops and get the third workshop for just $95, save $100.

Financial Aid: Tuition discounts are available after the minimum enrollment has been met.

Questions?
: If you have questions about any of these workshops, please email David H Lyman, at DHLyman@mac.com. He will answer your questions, or put you in touch with Eric.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Filming of short film "Four Brothers" begins Sept. 12th

Visiting filmmaker, Jamie Stanton is currently in Grand Cayman working on his short film “Four Brothers”. The 10 minute short film is a mini adventure about three young Caymanian boys who build a raft to Sand Kay Island. All filming will take place in South Sound over two weekends 12-13th September and 19-20th September. When finished, the film will be submitted to a variety of film festivals.

The short film is being sponsored locally by Al La Kebab, Coconut Car Rentals and Gary Ebanks, with support from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation and the Cayman Islands Film Commission.

About Jamie:

Jamie Stanton is a filmmaker working in Bristol, UK. He won a scholarship to the London Film Academy and graduated as Student Of The Year 2008.

His Graduation film, "Undead Union: The Making of..." a comedy he co-wrote and directed has gained screenings at Cannes Film Festival, London Short Film Festival and The British Film Institutes - EATOURSHORTS, demonstrating Britain's brightest young directors. He is also the writer of the Mexico International Film Festival's Golden Palm winner "Into The Light" directed by Alice Caronna.

He works as part of TEAANDCHEESE, a production company he set up with fellow director Liam Tate. Together they have made a series of short animations the latest of which is screening in competition at Encounters this November. They are currently producing a two minute pitch for a TV series with Ten Worlds Productions, INC in LA for Comedy Central and MTV.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Camp Jam's Film Week A Hit!


The Film Commission sponsored 4 kids' participation in the Walkers Road Church of God's Camp Jam film project last week. The key instructor, Nate Norris, is a graduate of New York Film School and he used the time to give the enthusiastic 12-18 year olds an introduction to film making. At the end of the week, they produced three short films: Park Bench, Air Jesus and Robbery 101.

Here's a brief summary of the week's activities:
Monday - Nate took the kids through different camera shots and showed them a short film called Lucky to demonstrate what a short film was. He then illustrated how to use the camera and asked them to come up with a short film idea. They brain stormed and came up with "The Park Bench". They directed, filmed, and acted out the different parts of the film.

Tuesday and Wednesday: - These two days was used as script writing days. Nate divided the group into two groups and appointed leaders to work with their team and come up with a short film idea and a commercial. The commercial that they came up with was Air Jesus and the short film was called Robbery 101.

Thursday: Costumes were provided for the kids and they reviewed their Air Jesus idea. From 1:00 to 2:30 they shot the commercial on location at Cox's basketball court. Reports are that their dedication to get the right shot done was simply amazing!

Friday: There was a location shoot for Robbery 101 at the Walkers Rd. Texaco. This idea was one of a robbery gone bad, it was really funny.

From all reports, the experience was an eye opener to the film industry for many of the teens who participated and youth minister, Pastor Felix, was happy that the young people stepped up to the plate and allowed their creativity to really shine.

The CIFC was happy to help send these four kids to camp.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Are you interested in Television Animation?

We are pleased to inform you that the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) Television Animation Conference (TAC), is scheduled for October 14-18, 2009. It is North America’s largest animation Festival, and is organized by the Canadian Film Institute, a not-for-profit charitable organization.

This critically acclaimed and respected festival provides a means of linking regional, national, and international animation communities, as well as fostering the development and growth of animation talent found within Canada. The TAC draws over 250 producers, directors, distributors, developers, buyers and industry gurus from across Canada and the world, and the organizers encourage attendance by buyers in order to propel and create opportunities for Canadian and Foreign companies. For more information on the OIAF TAC, please visit their web site at: http://animationfestival.ca/index.php

Also, the OIAF produces a Canadian Animation Directory, which is a comprehensive guide to the Canadian animation industry for 2009-10. It covers a broad spectrum of existing and emerging production companies, funding agencies, schools and post-production services.

Additional information regarding the Festival/Conference, and purchase of the Directory can be obtained directly from the organizers (co-ordinates below):-

Dominique Forget
TAC/Workshop Assistant
Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF)
2 Daly Ave, Ste. 120,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6E2, Canada
Tel: 613.232.8769
Fax: 613.232.6315
Email: tac@animationfestival.ca

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Queen Noor sends statement of support for CIFC


Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan has shown her support for the launch of the CIFC’s Film Crew Certification Training Programme. She sent a statement saying, "I wish the Cayman Islands Film Commission every success and trust that their efforts will foster sustainable economic, social and cultural benefits for the people of the Cayman Islands in years to come." Queen Noor had planned to attend the January 30th launch of the CIFC on the invitation of advisory board member, Jason Felts, but travel schedules did not permit.
Her Majesty is an international public servant and has served on several international boards devoted to peace and positive educational and cultural development.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Line Producer of hit HBO Series “Six Feet Under” added as guest presenter for the Cayman Islands Film Commission Crew Training workshop


Earlier this month, the Cayman Islands Film Commission announced the addition of Bob Del Valle, line producer and production manager with over 20 years experience in film and television production as guest presenter at their upcoming Crew Training Workshop. Del Valle has worked on numerous series, feature films and mini-series that include Ally McBeal, Melrose Place, Tales of the City and Six Feet Under. He has won the Directors Guild Award for producing and has been nominated for two Emmys and two Producer Guild Awards. Bob is also the author of “The One Hour Drama Series”, a book on how to produce episodic television.

Bob will join David Lyman, the lead workshop facilitator, who is the Founder and Director of Media Workshops International, a New York City based company that has been conducting training for filmmakers and photographers worldwide for 34 years.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Uprising

Legends in the world of skateboarding hit the bowls and pipes of Black Pearl Skate Park in Grand Harbour, Cayman Islands on Friday, May 22 to film new episodes of a Christian reality series, THE UPRISING. In addition to filming at Black Pearl, THE UPRISING crew will join renowned boarder Dennis Martinez to promote an anti-drug message at school assemblies throughout the Cayman Islands.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Film Crew Certification Programme

Beginning this May, The Cayman Islands Film Commission will introduce its Film Crew Certification Training Programme which is designed to prepare Caymanians for successful careers in the film industry. Workshop participants will be exposed to different aspects of film production and guided as to what each area means for prospective job roles when media projects come to town.

The first Film Crew Certification Workshop will be facilitated by highly regarded industry educator, David H. Lyman of Media Workshops International. It will also feature other local and international guest speakers and it is scheduled to take place over the week-end of May 29-31st. The weekend begins Friday evening at 6pm with a reception and the following two days will include lectures, group activities and screenings interspersed with interactive discussions. The programme runs all day Saturday from 9-5pm; Sunday begins at 10am with a morning brunch followed by a career planning session until 2pm.